Monday, May 21

The Monster Machine at Nottingham Waterstones!

The Monster Machine, on the shelves at Waterstones! A wonderful sight.

I'm back after my first ever book event for my new picture book 'The Monster
Machine'. Published by Pavilion Children's books.

Thank you to everyone who came to the children’s section in Waterstone’s
Nottingham on Sunday and stopped to have a chat, and help with our Monster
collage! I had a great time, it was lovely to meet so many nice people, and a real
pleasure to sign my book for you.

Throughout the event we (myself, the kids and their families) made a very
colourful monster collage... here is how it developed...

On arrival I was presented with the horror of horrors! the blank sheet of
paper, and was given a Sharpie pen... so obviously I drew some monsters, enjoying my
Rolf Harris moment, here is the original line drawing-

The Monsters are coming! They could do with some colour...

My
very first visitor, the lovely Maddie and family started us off- note the scrunch technique
to make the monster extra hairy...

The collaging begins! So many neon colours to choose from...

I
took the opportunity to add a couple of eyes so he could see again...

That's better! Does he look a bit mean now I wonder...

Later another
couple of very skilful young artists Sophie and Chanel (with a little
help from mum, Lisa) got to work... I had a great time chatting to their
Granddad James who also took this picture of myself with them!
Many thanks for sending it to me...

Nicola collaging with Chanel and Sophie

I met a lot of interesting people and their kids throughout the event which
has been a wonderful experience. It was nearing my dinner time when I finally had to say goodbye, here is the fantastic collage the kids made...

The very colourful monster collage!

More of the monster collage, with some particularly excellent collaging.

Thank you everyone!

I
look forward to dropping into Waterstone’s Nottingham again sometime soon for
some more monster fun... Grrrr